HAVE YOUR SAY

EIGHTH RACE 5.35

TWO MILES ABOUT FOUR FURLONGS (2M 4F) FOR FOUR YRS OLD AND UPWARDS

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’ HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 5)

Total prize fund £6450 x Owners Prize Money. 1st £2605, 2nd £1302, 3rd £651, 4th £326, 5th £163. (Penalty Value £3406.24) 5 Eliminated Under Rules (I)9 and (I)10. A

LEADING COURSE TRAINER (17-22): F O’Brien (34 wins from 174 runners, 20%) runs STUDENT CHAP

TRAINER-IN-FORM (LAST 14 DAYS): F O’Brien (9 wins from 28 runners, 32%) runs STUDENT CHAP

LONGEST TRAVELLER: HILLSIN trained by C Harris, Umberleigh, 147 miles.

Having dropped a long way in the weights following a quiet start for his new yard, HILLSIN showed a lot more when third in a big-field handicap at Exeter a month ago and is now of major interest Independence made a good start for Dr Newland and is feared most, with Ranco another to consider back from a break

1-2-3: 1.HILLSIN (IRE) 2.INDEPENDENCE (USA) 3.RANCO (IRE) colours no horse age st lb

1 INDEPENDENCE (USA) (24) 4223/42-

7 12-0

Br g More Than Ready (USA) - Frivolous Alex (USA) Cillin Leonard

Deva Racing Independence Dr Richard Newland, Droitwich

Br Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, Llc Deva Racing Group

TIMEFORM VIEW Fair bumper winner who matched the pick of his hurdles form starting out for Dr Newland when runner-up at Plumpton 3 weeks ago. Big player here with promise of more to come for this yard TFRHHHHI BHA100

2 MASTERDREAM (FR) (26) 24/1531- CD

6 11-11

B g Sea The Stars (IRE) - Santa Christiana (FR) Joe Anderson

Mr Dave Harris Neil Mulholland, Limpley Stoke

Br Haras de Saint Julien & A.Tamagni-Bodmer Tote

TIMEFORMVIEWWon a brace of C&D handicaps around this time last year Didn’t look totally straightforward back on the level at Bath last month but that should ensure he’s spot on for this fitness-wise TFRHHHII BHA97

3 MEGAUDAIS SPEED (FR) (69) 54314/P-

B g Puit d’Or (IRE) - La Rouadiere (FR)

11 11-11

Ellis Collier (5)

The Isle Of Frogs Partnership Ben Lund, Bridgwater

Br E.A.R.L. de Megaudais

TIMEFORMVIEWProved game when doubling career tally at Wincanton (21.3f) in March of last year First start/yard debut effort has to go down as disappointing at Wincanton (19.8f) 2 months ago however, and this should reveal more. Cheekpieces on first time TFRHHIII BHA97

4 STUDENT CHAP (IRE) (26) 54/4000-

7 11-9

Br g Presenting - Prowler (IRE) Jack Hogan (3)

Shaw Racing & Graeme McPherson Fergal O’Brien, Cheltenham

Br Gareth Metcalfe Bresbet

TIMEFORMVIEW Yet to build on hurdle debut fourth at Worcester in December, including on handicap debut last month. In excellent hands but he needs to raise his game

5 RANCO (IRE) (181) 133433-

TFRHHHII BHA95

6 11-7

B g Makfi - Guerande (IRE) Niall Houlihan

Mr Richard Weeks Nigel Hawke, Tiverton

Br Ecurie Du Cadran & Ecurie JML Racing Junction 24 Ltd

TIMEFORMVIEWOut of sorts for David Pipe to end 2021 but capitalised on a falling mark for new yard at Newton Abbot (16.8f) in July Largely acquitted himself well in defeat since and should give another good account back from a break

6 KAPITALISTE (FR) (26) 22PP00-

B g Intello (GER) - Kapitale (GER)

The Profile Partnership 2

Br Wertheimer et Frere

TFRHHHHI BHA93

7 11-4

Philip Armson

Alexandra Dunn, Wellington

Alexandra Dunn Racing Ltd

TIMEFORMVIEW Still 6lb above last winning mark but looks to be finding his feet again following a break, sticking to his task when mid-field at Exeter last month.

7 FLINTSTONE (IRE) (16) 130-4

TFRHHHII BHA90

4 11-3

Ch g Starspangledbanner (AUS) - Madame Cherie (USA) Finn Lambert (3)

J. K. Powell Racing Nigel Twiston-Davies, Cheltenham

Br McElroy Syndicate

TIMEFORMVIEW Made a winning start over hurdles for current stable at Stratford in August but efforts in handicaps hardly brimming with promise. Hopes rest on step up in trip

TFRHHHII BHA97

8

BETTY’S BELLE (GB) (137) 54/52P6-

6 11-3

B m Schiaparelli (GER) - Burgundy Betty (IRE) Beau Morgan (6)

Mrs Bridget Henley Ben Pauling, Naunton

Br Mrs Bridget Henley Fitzdares

TIMEFORM VIEW Fair bumper winner Below that level over hurdles (remote second of 4 at Ludlow in October) but still early days in handicaps. TFRHHHII BHA89

9 HILLSIN (IRE) (26) 040003-

5 11-2

B g Hillstar - Mausin (IRE) Dylan Kitts (3)

Mr David Winzer Claire Harris, Umberleigh

Br Con O’Keeffe Pickard Homes Solutions Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Modest maiden hurdler for Gavin Cromwell Low-key start for current yard but down in the weights and much more like it when third at Exeter last month Now looks interesting. TFRHHHHH BHA88

10 IF I SAY (IRE) (142) 0/01040- CD

6 11-0

B m Free Eagle (IRE) - Wandering Star (IRE) Lilly Pinchin (3)

Stratford Racecourse 3 Charlie Longsdon, Chipping Norton

Br Mr Eamon Devlin Merribelle Stable Llc

TIMEFORM VIEW Belatedly off the mark at Worcester (20f) in September but below that level in 3 subsequent starts, switched to fences when last seen on Boxing Day. TFRHHHII BHA86

11 DEER HUNTER (IRE) (16) 430//PP-P

7 10-13

B g Fame And Glory - Subtle Gem (IRE) Tabitha Worsley

Fawley House Stud Danni O’Neill, North Fawley

Br F. Tobin Fawley House Stud

TIMEFORM VIEW Modest form over hurdles for Harry Whittington in 2020/21, but has gone the wrong way in 4 starts for his current yard TFRHHIII BHA85

12 STRIPE OF HONOUR (IRE) (218) P51450- C

10 10-3

B g Court Cave (IRE) - Miss Top (IRE) Charlie Price

Mrs Kathy Day Anthony Day, Hinckley

Br Michael Kearns Mr Day

TIMEFORMVIEW Caused a major surprise (80/1) from 9lb out of the weights when scoring at Worcester (23f) in July Fair efforts the next twice but heavy defeat final start in October. TFRHHIII BHA75

2022: MASTERDREAM (FR) 5 10 5 Thomas Doggrell 6-1 (Neil Mulholland) 16 ran

Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 3. Tongue Strap worn by No. 2, 5. Visor, Tongue Strap worn by No. 6, 12. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2.

Stewards Note:

DECLARED RUNNERS 12

BETTY’S BELLE: Following its run on 31/12/2022 it was reported that the horse was never travelling.

DEER HUNTER: Following its run on 1/5/2023 it was reported that the horse hung right handed.

Probable S.P’s: 4-1 Independence (USA), 11-2 Hillsin (IRE), 13-2 Masterdream (FR), 8-1 Ranco (IRE), 9-1StudentChap(IRE),11-1Betty’sBelle(GB),16-1Flintstone(IRE),IfISay(IRE),18-1Kapitaliste(FR),22-1MegaudaisSpeed(FR), 33-1 Stripe of Honour (IRE), 40-1 Deer Hunter (IRE)

Record Times